Assistant Instructor Course

Description

Become a certified Assistant Instructor with SSI

The Assistant Instructor rating is the next step after becoming a Divemaster along the scuba instructor pathway. It allows you to collect valuable teaching experience, practice briefings, teach academics, and conduct in-water training. If you want to further your career as a dive professional, you can finish the Instructor Training Course, pass the Instructor Evaluation, and become an Open Water Diving Instructor.

The SSI Assistant Instructor program provides candidates with the knowledge and training necessary to perform the duties of an assistant instructor.

These duties including conducting entry-level scuba training under the supervision of an Open Water Instructor, and independently conducting Scuba Skills Updates, Try Scuba, and Perfect Buoyancy programs.

Course Overview

The course will begin with an orientation. Students will be assigned their SSI Assistant Instructor online course materials at the end of the orientation.  After completing the course, students will attend several classroom, confined and open water training sessions.

Candidate Prerequisites

· Minimum age: 18 years old.

· Have logged at least 60 open water dives totaling 40 hours or more.
Have the following active status SSI certifications or an equivalent from a recognized training agency:

· Divemaster

Certification Requirements:

· Log at least 75 open water dives totaling 50 hours or more.

· Read and complete Sections 1-6, including reviews and assessments, of the Instructor Training Course digital learning.

· Complete Academic Sessions 1-6 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.

· Complete the program’s final exam.

· Complete the Candidate Water Fitness Evaluation as outlined in the SSI Training Standards if it has been more than six months since the candidate has been evaluated.

· Pass all requirements and evaluations for Practical Application Sessions 1-7 as outlined in the instructor manual for the Instructor Training Course.

 

Active Status Qualifications

In addition to the programs taught by active status Professional Dive Guides, active status Assistant Instructors may teach, supervise, and issue recognition or certification cards for the following programs:

· Try Scuba

· Scuba Skills Update

· Perfect Buoyancy

In addition to the duties performed by an SSI Divemaster, active status Assistant Instructors may also:

· Teach the Open Water Diver academic and pool/confined water sessions under the indirect supervision of an active status Open Water Instructor.

· Directly supervise and evaluate surface skills during open water training dives for the Open Water Diver program under the indirect supervision of an active status Open Water Instructor.

· Qualify to become a Specialty Instructor for some SSI Specialty programs.

· Enroll in an Instructor Training Course.

· Complete the SSI Explorer Instructor Online Upgrade.

Assistant Instructors must not:

· Issue Open Water Diver certifications.

· Independently conduct open water training dives for entry-level scuba training.

· Teach any emergency ascent skills.

Emergency ascent skills

· Emergency Swimming Ascent

· Emergency Buoyant Ascent

· Gas-Sharing Ascent

· Rescuing an Unconscious Diver

 

What is included in the course:

· SSI Assistant Instructor Digital Kit (SKU 93700586 – Dive Pro Cost $450)

· Instructor Materials (SKU 471099 – Dive Pro cost $79.00)

· Instructor led classroom, confined water and open water sessions

· Tanks / Air Fills for the in-water sessions

· Certification card (Digital)

What is not included in the course:

· Equipment rental

· Entry Fees / Travel Expenses

· Professional Liability Insurance

· Professional Registration Fees

 

Required Equipment

· Total Snorkeling System: Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Booties, Wetsuit, Weights and weight belt

· Total Diving System: BCD, Regulator with SPG, Compass and Octo and Dive Computer

Additional Required Equipment

· SMB, Spool, Dive Reel, Cutting Device, Slate, Signaling Device

Important Registration Information

· Students have one year from the date of registration to start their course.

· In-water training for all programs must be completed within six (6) months of the last academic or in-water training session.

· Students enrolled in professional level classes required to obtain a physician’s authorization prior to any in-water training.

· Classes are non-refundable and non-transferable.